Handout 3

Native American Renaissance and Gerald Vizenor



Ex. 1. What are stereotypes? What stereotypes are associated with Native Americans? Why are they
harmful?


Ex. 2. Problems of Native
communities.

Ex. 3. Gerald Vizenor (b. 1934) is an Anishinaabe writer and one of the most prominent scholars of
Native American Studies. While watching an interview with Vizenor, answer these
questions:


1.      How does Vizenor describe himself?

2.      What does Vizenor say about people who have suffered horrible conditions?

3.      Why does Vizenor reject the term “indian”?

4.      How do the examples of Nicholas Galanin and Clarissa Rizal support Vizenor’s ideas?

5.      What is the final message delivered by Vizenor?


Ex. 4. Thinks about the following questions:


1.      How do you understand the term survivance?

2.      How do you understand Vizenor’s claim that the “indian” is just a simulation?

3.      “The indian is a case of cultural nostalgia,” says Vizenor in one of his books. Do you
agree with him? Why (not)?


Ex. 5. Cultural appropriation vs. cultural appreciation.